A Surprising New Treatment for Women With Sexual Dysfunction

Scientists looove talking about oxytocin, a.k.a. "the bonding hormone" that makes you feel cuddly and connected during a long hug, while breastfeeding your baby, holding your partner's hand, or having an orgasm. Recently, researchers at MedUni Vienna had an idea: Why not have women with sexual dysfunction (like arousal problems or an inability to orgasm) take an extra dose of oxytocin right before getting it on? Maybe, they thought, it would help them have more enjoyable, orgasmic encounters.

Over eight months, 30 women in the study did just that—specifically, they sniffed intranasal oxytocin before sex—and, with their partners' help, they kept diaries of their experience. In the study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility, researchers found that the sex lives and sexual satisfaction of these women significantly improved. That sounds great, until you notice that the placebo water spray given to the control group had the exact same effects.

The researchers' conclusion: Just thinking about treating a sexual dysfunction (and discussing it with your partner) helps it go away.

"Clearly the fact that the women thought more about their sexuality and spoke with their partners about sex during the course of the study in itself brought about measurable improvements," study author Michaela Bayerle-Eder said in a press release. "Sexual problems are often caused by the stress of everyday life rather than any chemical deficiency in a woman's hormone balance."

This study parallels research on Flibanserin, "the female Viagra" pill known as Addyi. In clinical trials, it did improve sexual function—but only slightly more than a placebo. "The research shows you'll have one or two improved sexual encounters per month," says Maura Quinlan, MD, an ob-gyn in Chicago. "I don't think it'll be much help."

Still, for the women experiencing sexual dysfunction, the prospect of any improvement is encouraging. And it's nice to know that just discussing the issue and making the decision to work on it with your partner might work as well as drugs—no side effects, nasal sprays, or copays necessary. Up to 40 percent of women experience sexual dysfunction at some point, experts say. So let's start talking about it.